Background: Croup is a common paediatric respiratory illness that is typically viral and self-limiting. Severe or atypical presentations should prompt evaluation for underlying airway pathology and coexisting infections.
Case Details: An 8-month-old infant presented with fever, barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and respiratory distress. Persistent stridor despite corticosteroids and nebulised adrenaline required PICU escalation. CT neck showed subglottic narrowing. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed Grade II subglottic stenosis with circumferential candidiasis. Respiratory viral panel was positive for Influenza B.
Management and Outcome: The child was managed with corticosteroids, antiviral therapy, antifungal therapy, and supportive care with gradual recovery.
Conclusion: Persistent stridor and poor response to therapy are important red flags in croup. Early airway evaluation is essential to identify structural airway lesions and associated infections.
Recurrent Subglottic Stenosis in a 16-Month-Old Male in the Setting of Influenza A, Intubation, and Honey Consumption
Congenital Subglottic Stenosis: An Occasional Concern in Severe Croup